Planet Possible

We're exploring the topic of bioresources - sometimes called sewage sludge - and our interview is with Georgia Elliot-Smith, who's heading up 'Fighting Dirty' - a campaign to ensure environmental regulation around sewage sludge - last updated in 1989 in England and Wales - remains effective. Niki's co-host is the Director of Innovation & Delivery at CIWEM and supported the creation of the National...

The water that runs off our traffic-filled roads ends up in our rivers, but we know little about it, it's hardly monitored and improving the quality of that runoff is a huge task. Join us for this special episode of Planet Possible in collaboration with Watershed Investigations as we dig into the realities of highway runoff . . We’re joined from the front line by Jo Bradley from Stormwater Shepher...

Are you flood ready? How do you find out if your home is at risk of flooding? What can you do to protect your home and if water does suddenly come through your door, what should you do next? With much of England and Scotland experiencing rainfall 70% above average for December, flooding has impacted thousands of homes and businesses. Join Niki and her co-host and Environment Agency Environment Man...

2023 is set to be the hottest year on record with temperatures 1.4 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average and sea surface temperatures for the polar oceans reaching almost 21 degrees C in October. In recent years we’ve seen the climate COPs making headline news - so what was it like to attend COP28, how significant were the outputs - and how did the paradox of a fossil fuel economy hosti...

You might already have a view on whether it’s a helpful way of bringing some greenery to a tricky space – or that it should be banned entirely. Either way, we’re going to explore in this episode some of the science and evidence behind the use of plastic grass, think about why it’s proving so popular and explore some great alternatives for people to think about.  We’re joined by a fantastic co-host...

Water in the UK has become both a political football and a source of vast public anger. Storm overflows, sewage spills, dying rivers and dividend payouts have dominated debates everywhere from parliament to the pub. Everyone seems to have an opinion, and clearly there are huge and complex issues... but what are the answers? CIWEM Director of Policy Al Chisholm is in a unique position of objectivit...

If you’re in the UK you’ll have heard about recent proposed changes to nutrient neutrality. Adding to the wider debate about the health of our rivers across England in particular, we explore the proposed changes & what they could mean for river health. Niki is joined by Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow and the Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee who in 2021 put forward the private members bill t...

Uruguay has been facing the longest drought the country has ever recorded in it’s capital Montevideo, leaving the city almost completely dry and the Paso Severino reservoir, supplying over half the country’s 3.4 millions people, at 2.4% capacity in late June. This is especially fascinating for a country that in 2004 enshrined access to water as a fundamental right in it’s constitution. To help us...

*Content warning: This podcast contains brief mentions of experiences around mental ill-health and miscarriage which some listeners may find upsetting. Many different types of neurodivergence exist, and it can be hard to understand what workplace adjustments we can make that will support everyone. What constitutes a reasonable request? Whose responsibility is it? Niki Roach is joined by Lea Nighti...

What does the future of water look like? Do we need a single organisation managing our water catchments and do we need more resources to regulate the quality and quantity of our water? Join the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, John Curtin and CIWEM's Director of Policy, Alastair Chisholm as we explore these topics - and find out what John's biggest environmental concern is. A fresh water...

On the day we hear an apology from WaterUK on behalf of the water sector for sewage pollution from storm overflows, we wanted to explore what this really means for customers and the environment and whether there are any unintended consequences.   We’re joined by the acting CEO of the Environment Agency John Curtin and Niki’s co-host and CIWEM Director of Policy, Al Chisholm to discuss their reflec...

Join us for the Season Finale of the pod and our first on-location episode!  Niki and co-host Alastair Chisholm head to Spains Hall Estate in north Essex to meet Archie Ruggles-Brise and explore some of his innovative approaches to managing the land - and water - across the estate.  Listen as we explore the estate, hear about the approaches to natural flood management, biodiversity net gain, natur...

Join Niki and her co-host, Susan Stockwell, Managing Director of Skewb Green, as they explore how business are approaching the challenge of climate change. Our guest interview is with the Rt. Hon John Gummer, Lord Deben, Chair of the Committee on Climate Change and formerly the longest serving Secretary of State for the Environment for UK (1993-97). We explore the legacy of COP27 and what actions...

Join Niki in conversation with Hannah Coogan, Emma Sherburn and Clare Rodgers as they celebrate the role that mentors, friends and allies have played in their careers to date.  Find out what advice they'd give to their 21 year old selves and as ever - we pass them the Planet Possible 'magic wand' to see what they'd want to make possible. This is perfect listening if you're thinking about a career...

What does it take to make a step change to the water environment when so many organisations are responsible for individual parts of it? Join us as Niki speaks to Paddy Brow, Head of the Living with Water Programme for Wastewater Treatment for Northern Ireland Water & find out how they’re tackling some significant pollution challenges in Belfast Lough. This episode is co-hosted by Lee Pitcher, Head...

With a remit set out in law to be “the guardian of the interests of future generations in Wales”, Sophie Howe is the world’s only Future Generations Commissioner. Her role is to provide advice to the Government and other public bodies in Wales on delivering social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being for current and future generations and assessing and reporting on how they are deliver...

Welcome to a brand new season of Planet Possible! We’re back with a season packed with insightful guests and were pleased to introduce our new season sponsor - Skewb - whose support enables us to bring the pod to you. In this first episode join Niki and her co-host Sara King from Rewilding Britain as they discuss all things rewilding, including what Rewilding really means.  In our main interview h...

For more information on Water New Zealand - https://www.waternz.org.nz/ For more information on Te Mana o te Wai - https://environment.govt.nz/acts-and-regulations/freshwater-implementation-guidance/te-mana-o-te-wai-implementation/   Credits   Presented & Produced by Niki Roach Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited With thanks to Alastair Chisholm Honorary Executive Producer Jane...

What's it really like to be an observer at a COP? As COP15, the UN Biodiversity Conference, heads towards it's conclusion, join Niki and her guest and Arctic Angel, Margherita Barbieri as they step behind the scenes to explore what was discussed at COP27 and what Margherita hopes to hear as outcomes from COP15 in Montreal. Find out  more about the work of Global Choices and Arctic Angels here... h...

The short-lived Truss government's push for growth at all costs sent shockwaves through the environmental sector as green policies were abandoned, reversed or shelved... potentially leaving UK nature in crisis. In this special episode of Planet Possible, host Niki Roach is joined by two sector heavyweights and key players in the coalition of environmental organisations that spoke up in opposition...

Join Niki and her co-host Angela MacOscar, Head of Innovation at Northumbrian Water as they explore the innovation landscape in the water sector. Paul O'Callaghan, Founder and CEO of Bluetech Research gives a global perspective on latest trends, what we can learn from pre-Incan civilisations and how the water sector is the 'Neville Longbottom' of innovation! Planet Possible is a Bwlb production &...

Join Niki and her co-host, Md Shamsuddoha, the CEO of the Centre for Participatory Research & Development in Bangladesh as they explore the barriers to communities adapting to climate change & the secondary and tertiary impacts of climate change.  In this episode we hear from Tim Wainwright, CEO of WaterAid as he reflects on why the world is still not making access to water and sanitation a priori...

Thanks to Planet Possible's Season Sponsors, Binnies, for enabling us to bring this podcast to you. Binnies.com Credits   Presented & Produced by Niki Roach Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited With thanks to Alastair Chisholm Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Join Niki and her co-host Mark Challoner as they explore the world of Forever Chemicals. If you've heard of PFAS and want to know more - or want to get an overview of this critically important topic, this episode is for you. All of our episodes in Season 3 are audio transcribed & contribute to your CPD points. Huge thanks to our Season Sponsors Binnies for enabling us to bring Planet Possible to y...

Thanks to our season sponsors, Binnies, for enabling us to bring Planet Possible to you. A transcription of this episode - and all episodes in Season 3 - is available on the Planetpossible.eco website. Credits   Presented & Produced by Niki Roach Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited With thanks to Alastair Chisholm Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland